The path toward healing. triggers and urges in addiction
7 – 12 April 2025
Learn how to break free, regain control of your life and get your freedom back

Triggers and urges and EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy is an empirically supported therapy for treating trauma. It was initially developed in 1987 to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bt has become a widely used method in a variety of other cognitive and behavioral symptoms.
With treating PTSD, usually a standard EMDR – protocol: an organized outline of steps for treatment is being used. It is three-dimensional, consisting of past experiences that ignite presentsymptoms, unresolved present triggers tied to the past, and a positive follow up future template. This protocol helps the brain process and release traumatic memories in an unusual way — through eye movements.
Specific groups, such as those seeking treatment for chemical and behavioral addictions, require adjustment to their special needs. Therefore a specific protocol for addiction treatment has been developed (DETUR, Desensitization of Triggers and Urges Reprocessing).
EMDR Protocols
EMDR could be used for substance abuse by targeting the memories that precipitate and drive substance abuse, the relapse triggers and cravings to use drugs, future healthy and adaptive coping, and treatment motivation and compliance. Initially, treatment for addiction relied on the standard EMDR protocol, relying on the assumption that addiction was typically a symptom of unprocessed trauma—treat the trauma cure the addiction.
But authors, such as April Wise and Jamie Marich suggest that Trauma and Addiction often create a vicious cycle “where PTSD symptoms trigger substance abuse, substance abuse in turn increases risk for future trauma experiences, and withdrawal from substances can trigger PTSD symptoms (2016). However, not every addiction is a symptom of trauma. Can EMDR therapy be used to treat addiction where no trauma is detected?
Though somewhat similar to the phases of EMDR, using history, assessment, diagnosis and preparation of the client, DeTUR targets the triggers that bring up the uncomfortable feelings leading to urges.
In 2005, Arnold J. Popky Ph.D. compressed three targets, treatment goal, triggers and urge, and future action into desensitization of triggers and urge reprocessing (DeTUR) protocol. This protocol does not target traumatic memories, like the standard EMDR protocol. Instead it targets, desensitizes, and reprocesses the triggers and urges that elicit addictive compulsive behaviors. The DeTUR protocol is an addiction specific protocol whether the addiction is a symptom of trauma or not.
This protocol also includes client empowerment through resource accessing, installation of positive treatment goals, identification and desensitization of triggers, and techniques of relapse prevention. The overall goal is to desensitize the triggers to urge, while simultaneously empowering clients by installing positive resource goals.
Basically, the DETUR protocol has a two-dimensional approach: removing urges and increasing resistance through building self-regulation and other resources that are necessary to help the person through recovery to a successful and healthy state of functioning and coping. In achieving reprocessing, the triggers no longer stimulate the need to use or act out and the new response becomes the positive treatment goal of coping and functioning successfully in life as determined by the client.
The workshop
In this workshop we will work in a group setting, but individual therapeutic and EMDR sessions are also available.
The overall goal is to desensitize the triggers to urge, while simultaneously empowering clients by installing positive resource goals. Removing urges and increasing resistance through building self-regulation and other resources help the person through recovery to a successful and healthy state of functioning and coping. In achieving reprocessing, the triggers no longer stimulate the need to use or act out and the new response becomes the positive treatment goal of coping and functioning successfully in life as determined by the client.
The 5-dayworkshop will have a maximum of 6/7 participants. Group sessions will be held in the morning, the remainder of your day is free for relaxation and/or different activities.
Recovery specialists and therapists are very welcome to accompany their clients.
ACCOMODATION
The Retreat provides guests with well-furnished, comfortable two-bed shared apartments with private bathroom, kitchen and living, on half board basis, in a quiet and secluded region of Le Marche region, with an open view over the surrounding green hills, the foothills of the Apennine mountains. A single use apartment is also available on request.
LEISURE ACTIVITIES
Besides peaceful walking trails for hiking that offer an abundance of stunning and breathtaking views, the estate offers a pool in panoramic position, nearby or on site yoga classes, archery lessons, a weekly market, and why not, for those who love the Italian cuisine, a cooking class where you learn cooking true Italian style.
For more information regarding program details, costs, etc. just send me a mail (info@theretreatinitaly.com, and jacquelinedegoeij2016@gmail.com), or call me at: +39 333 3230381.



Adult children of alcoholics
Many adult children who grew up in a dysfunctional home have been deeply affected by their experiences and often seek counselling and professional treatment to help resolve these issues.

Family therapeutic holidays
Discover how the road to recovery can also be fun and pleasure. Your family holiday will become the best holiday ever!

EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy. An integrative therapy known to help people heal from traumatic or upsetting events.
Questions? Please contact us
Do you have any questions about the programs? Would you like to know more, make a reservation? Just send a mail to: jacquelinedg@libero.it